Skimmer problems please help!! (1 Viewer)

[clownsrcoo]

Hello everyone,


I have just started my skimmer today for the first time in my sump. I ran it all day while at work and when i came home and looked at how it was doing i need your help.


I have a bubble magus curve 5.


I just filled my tank with saltwater and am running everything to check for leaks and get my water temp stable. I have not started to cycle the tank yet and figured now would be a good time to leave the skimmer on just to get used to how it works. When i got home today i saw that my collection cup was full of water. It looks like the bubbles are carrying a lot of water with them up into the cup and it almost looks like a bot of boiling water boiling over. The skimmer cup has a drain outlet tube on it but that is laying in the water and when i held it up nothing is coming out of that tube. I thought that was the purpose of that drain was so it didnt overflow itself.


Why is my skimmer collecting so much water in the cup? Is my water level too high? I turned the water output adjustment tube all the way to MIN and it was still filling the cup with water after only a few seconds.


The instruction manual on this thing sucks and is very vague. It says to keep the water level it is in at 25-27cm which is like 9.8 -10.6"


I have my sump water level sitting at 10.25" right now


Its obviously not working the way it should so someone please help me.










Also on a side note what kind of ventilation do all of you have in your stand? I have noticed its getting really humid in there and with all of the bubbling and splashing i am worried i will get mold growing in there. Does anyone have a problem with that?

 

[Diesel]

HAHAHA common mistake, skimmer need to broken in for a few days.
Set the dial at the highest # and raise your skimmer about 3 of the bottom of your sump.
Let it run for two days like this and than lower your skimmer to the desired level.
If on the bottom again turn dial lower and you'll see that the bubbles will raise again.
It will take a while to find the perfect dry-skim level.

Good luck.

 

[clownsrcoo]

Thanks Diesel,

What about my side note at the bottom about the humidity of the stand. Do you run any type of ventilation down there like a fan or anything to help out? I didnt make the stand out of treated wood which was probably a mistake bit i figured that prefab stands are just MDF which is a big sponge so my way has to be better than that.

 

[Diesel]

What's your stand made of?
Is it just a closed box, no holes or something?
Pics would help.
About ventilation, you need always a vent in there, either just cut some holes in the back or electric http://www.aquacave.com/Aquarium-Cooling-Fans-C367.aspx
It has two functions as in air circulation, removing of humid air out the stand and cooling down your temp in the stand/sump.

 

[clownsrcoo]

I made it out of plywood and 2x4s. I wrapped it all in formica and put formica on the floor inside the stand. I have (2) 2 1/2" holes in the back for my electrical cords to run though but that is all. They are on the opposite side of the stand from the sump though.

 

[Diesel]

Can you cut a additional hole in there for a 6" build in axial aquarium fan?
If that would be not enough you can always install one more at opposite side.
For now I would leave one of the doors of your stand open, you don't want to create a mold breeding place, that is a very bad thing.

 

[clownsrcoo]

i dont know if i can get a 6" hole in there. I think ill probably drill 2 3" holes in the back. 1 by the sump and 1 on the opposite end by my electrical. Ill put 2 fans in the inside of those holes, the one by the sump blowing out and the one by the electrical sucking air in. Do you think that would be sufficient? i havent see anyone else putting fans in their stands so im not sure if im just over reacting or why i would be the only one to think i am having this issue.

 

[Diesel]

The fact that you have the inside of your stand wrapped it all in Formica is creating the problem.
Formica won't breath moist in or out.
And most stands have a large opening in the back.
I never had a moist issue in my stand but my stand is regular 3/4 plywood with a kilz application.
During the night I leave a side or front door open for two things, to have a good ventilation and have enough air in the stand so that my PH stay as stable as possible.

 

[clownsrcoo]

Well i only did the floor in formica. I figured it would help waterproof the floor since there will often be drips here and there on the flooring. The rest is just 3/4" plywood all around. Im thinking i should roll on some thompson water seal on the bare wood too to be safe.

 

[emixa]

what does the output of your skimmer do? I was running into the same situation until I added piping where the return would directly hit the water. it has helped majorly? pictures would help as well. like Ben said, raise the skimmer and then drop your skimmer and dial in.